Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Site
Encyclopedia
The Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Site is a historic site located in Oakland Township
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The site comprises property once owned, and lived on, by Joseph Smith, Jr
and is the spot Smith says the resurrected John the Baptist
conferred the Aaronic priesthood upon him in 1829. Because of its historical significance to Mormonism
, the site is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). In April 2011 the Church announced it would rebuild some historic buildings on the site, which were once part of the Hale Farm, and construct a new monument.
. After arriving the Smiths purchased 13.5 acres (5.5 ha) from Emma's father, Issac Hale. Historically the property was located in the Harmony Township
of Susquehanna County, until the creation of the Oakland Township. Emma had been raised in Harmony, and many of her family members lived in the area. Her brother, Jesse Hale, had constructed a three-room frame home which the Smiths purchased and had moved onto their property.
While living in the home the Smiths' first child, Alvin, was born and died. Alvin is buried just east of the historic site in the McKune Cemetery. A large percentage of the Book of Mormon
was translated by Smith while living in the home. According to Smith the Aaronic priesthood was restored to him and Oliver Cowdery
on May 15, 1829 somewhere in the woods near the home. Following their ordination to the Aaronic priesthood the two men baptized each other in the nearby Susquehanna River
.
The Smith family left the area and their home, moving to Fayette, New York
, in August 1830. In 1919 the home lived in by the Smiths was destroyed by fire.
by artist Avard T. Fairbanks, depicting John the Baptist
conferring the priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Since that time additional property has been purchased, expanding the church's holdings in the area to 157 acres (63.5 ha). The most recent acquisition occurred in January 2011, which added 10 acres (4 ha) purchased from the Boughton family for USD
$2.1 million.
In a letter dated April 15, 2011 the Church announced to nearby members that the site would be restored. The restoration will include reconstructing the homes lived in by Smith and the Hale Family, along with farm out-buildings. A combination visitors center and meetinghouse will be constructed, along with a new monument. Also planned will be the re-routing of Pennsylvania Route 171
, which currently splits the historic site in two. The site is currently in the design phase with more information to come.
Oakland Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
Oakland Township is a township in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 550 at the 2000 census. Oakland Township was once part of Harmony Township . Emma Hale Smith, wife of Latter-day Saint Movement founder, Joseph Smith, grew up in Oakland Township when it was still...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The site comprises property once owned, and lived on, by Joseph Smith, Jr
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of Joseph Smith...
and is the spot Smith says the resurrected John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
conferred the Aaronic priesthood upon him in 1829. Because of its historical significance to Mormonism
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
, the site is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). In April 2011 the Church announced it would rebuild some historic buildings on the site, which were once part of the Hale Farm, and construct a new monument.
History
In December 1827 Joseph Smith, Jr. and his wife Emma Smith moved to area, hoping to escape persecution experienced in Palmyra, New YorkPalmyra (village), New York
Palmyra is a village in Wayne County, New York, United States. The population was 3,490 at the 2000 census. The village, along with the town, is named after Palmyra in present-day Syria.The Village of Palmyra is in the Town of Palmyra...
. After arriving the Smiths purchased 13.5 acres (5.5 ha) from Emma's father, Issac Hale. Historically the property was located in the Harmony Township
Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
Harmony Township is a township in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 558 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-History:Harmony, Pennsylvania, is...
of Susquehanna County, until the creation of the Oakland Township. Emma had been raised in Harmony, and many of her family members lived in the area. Her brother, Jesse Hale, had constructed a three-room frame home which the Smiths purchased and had moved onto their property.
While living in the home the Smiths' first child, Alvin, was born and died. Alvin is buried just east of the historic site in the McKune Cemetery. A large percentage of the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
was translated by Smith while living in the home. According to Smith the Aaronic priesthood was restored to him and Oliver Cowdery
Oliver Cowdery
Oliver H. P. Cowdery was, with Joseph Smith, Jr., an important participant in the formative period of the Latter Day Saint movement between 1829 and 1836, becoming one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's golden plates, one of the first Latter Day Saint apostles, and the Second Elder of...
on May 15, 1829 somewhere in the woods near the home. Following their ordination to the Aaronic priesthood the two men baptized each other in the nearby Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
.
The Smith family left the area and their home, moving to Fayette, New York
Fayette, New York
Fayette is a town in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 3,643 at the 2000 census.The Town of Fayette is on the western border of the county and is southeast of Geneva, New York.- History :...
, in August 1830. In 1919 the home lived in by the Smiths was destroyed by fire.
Property acquisition and developments
Because of the site's significance to its early history, the LDS Church has purchased the original site and some surrounding property. Between 1947 and 1959 the original property and six additional acres were purchased by the church. In 1960 a monument was added to the site which commemorates the nearby restoration of the priesthood. The monument includes a sculptureSculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
by artist Avard T. Fairbanks, depicting John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
conferring the priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Since that time additional property has been purchased, expanding the church's holdings in the area to 157 acres (63.5 ha). The most recent acquisition occurred in January 2011, which added 10 acres (4 ha) purchased from the Boughton family for USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
$2.1 million.
In a letter dated April 15, 2011 the Church announced to nearby members that the site would be restored. The restoration will include reconstructing the homes lived in by Smith and the Hale Family, along with farm out-buildings. A combination visitors center and meetinghouse will be constructed, along with a new monument. Also planned will be the re-routing of Pennsylvania Route 171
Pennsylvania Route 171
Pennsylvania Route 171 is a long north–south state highway located in northeast Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 6 Business in Carbondale...
, which currently splits the historic site in two. The site is currently in the design phase with more information to come.
External links
- Mormon Historic Sites Registry - Susquehanna River & Harmony